Each year, Linn County receives $80,000 from a trust established by Weaver Witwer, a prominent Cedar Rapids grocer and landowner who died in 1979. Mr. Witwer established the trust as a way to give back to the community in perpetuity. Each year, Linn County awards these funds to local non-profit organizations through a competitive grant process. The funds must be used to benefit Linn County residents.

An account is required to submit the Witwer Trust grant application online. For instructions on how to create an account, read the "New Applicant" instructions on the Witwer Trust Grant Program webpage.

Applications are accepted once a year. The application cycle begins Nov. 1 of each year, and applications must be received by Dec. 15. Applications must be submitted online at www.linncounty.org. Linn County does not accept grant applications via email, fax or paper copies.

Grant applications are screened for completeness by Linn County staff. Incomplete grant applications and applications that do not meet eligibility criteria or guidelines are ineligible for grant funds and will not be reviewed. Complete grant applications and those meeting the grant eligibility criteria and guidelines are reviewed and scored by the Linn County Board of Supervisors. Funding decisions are made in February.

The total amount of funding available for all grant applicants is $80,000. There is no cap for grant requests. However, please use common sense in making your requests. Approximately 50 applications are received each year totaling $250,000. Please keep this in mind as you develop your budget and grant request. The Linn County Board of Supervisors Witwer Trust Grant Program receives more funding requests than it can possibly grant. If support of a worthwhile program is declined, this decision does not reflect on the value of the group or service, but rather on the need to be selective because resources are limited. A link to previously funded projects is available at www.linncounty.org/witwer.

Witwer Trust grants will be made only to non-profit organizations that are located in Linn County, Iowa or that have a branch location in Linn County and whose work benefits Linn County residents. Proof of non-profit status is required. Grant funds must be used for programs or projects that benefit Linn County residents. Applicants who have not submitted the required final report for previous Witwer Trust grants are not eligible for funding. Due to legal restrictions, Iowa Code Section 331.901(5),organizations under ecclesiastical or sectarian management are not eligible for Linn County grant funds.

Grant funds must be used for programs or projects that benefit Linn County residents. Requests for programmatic and capital projects are eligible; requests for operating support, including salary/wages/benefits of staff, are not. Grants must be for expenses that have not yet been incurred.

A list of previously funded projects is available at www.linncounty.org/witwer.

No. Only one application is allowed per organization. If an organization submits more than one grant application, all applications submitted by that organization will be deemed ineligible for grant funds and will not be reviewed.

No. Only one proposal is allowed per organization, and only one project is allowed per proposal. If an organization submits a proposal requesting funding for more than one project, the proposal will be deemed ineligible and will not be reviewed.

This is a competitive grant program for non-profit organizations in Linn County to be used for historic preservation projects. Eligible projects include collecting and preserving historical materials, artifacts, places, or structures; maintaining a historical library or collection; conducting historical studies or research; issuing publications; providing public lectures of historical interest; or otherwise disseminating a knowledge of the history of the area to the general public. Grant application packets are available on the Linn County website March 1 and applications are due April 1 by 5 p.m. If April 1 falls on a weekend, applications are due the following Monday by 5 p.m.

Application information will be available on our website beginning Feb. 1.

Yes; however, the applicant and fiscal sponsor must complete, sign and submit the fiscal sponsorship agreement that is available for downloading on Linn County's website at www.linncounty.org/witwer. The fiscal sponsor must meet the grant eligibility requirements.

Any Witwer Trust grant funds awarded as a result of the grant application will be made payable to the fiscal sponsor and the fiscal sponsor is responsible for the disbursement, utilization, and accounting of the grant funds in accordance with the grant award.

The Assurances form can be downloaded from the grant application webpage at www.linncounty.org/witwer. Scroll to the bottom of the page. There are two Assurances forms. One is for non-profits and one is for applicants using a fiscal sponsor. Please be sure to use the correct form for your organization.

If you receive an account locked notice due to account inactivity, follow the instructions you receive in the email to unlock your account. See the "Returning Applicant" instructions at www.linncounty.org/witwer for more information.